Evaluation and long-term conservation perspectives of woodland key habitat bryophyte and lichen indicators in Latgale

Nowadays human impact to habitats and species are stronger then ever before. Latvia is typical example of fragmented landscape, where forest patches are mixed with agricultural land and waterbodies. Latgale is one of typical such a fragmented landscape parts of Latvia. Around 6.41 % of Latgalian forests were evaluated as Woodland Key Habitats (WKHs) or potential WKHs (P)WKHs  after WKH inventory. In total 16 WKH types, suitable for bryophyte and lichen indicator species existence were identified in Latgale. (P)WKH type, forest stand age and area were significant factors influencing bryophyte and lichen specialist and indicator species richness in forest stand level. WKH status did not provide any official conservation status for habitats or species based on current legislation in Latvia. Therefore establishment of conservation areas as microreserves for habitats and species and Nature Reserves in areas, with high (P)WKH density is an effective tool for their long-term conservation in Latgale. Further scientific studies of bryophytes, lichens and WKHs are necessary for planning the best conservation scenarios taking into account also forest ecosystem services.   

Preferences of epiphytic bryophytes for forest stand and substrate in North-East Latvia

Distribution of epiphytic bryophyte species was studied in Woodland Key Habitats (WKH) and in managed forest stands in the North-East Latvia (district Gulbene). In total, 32 epiphytic bryophyte species were found in six WKH stands. Five endangered/threatened bryophyte species (Anomodon longifolius, Homalia trichomanoides, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Lejeunea cavifolia, Neckera pennata), that are listed in the Red Data Book of Latvia were recorded. The relation between the total and endangered/threatened epiphytic bryophyte species richness and composition with substrate factors (phorophyte species, diameter at breast height (DBH), shading, and tree bark pH) was studied. The most important factors regarding epiphytic bryophyte species cover, composition and richness were found to be tree species, DBH, bark pH and forest shading. WKH indicator species richness showed significant relationship only with tree species. Tree species was one of the most important factors explaining epiphytic species distribution

Factors influencing epiphytic bryophytes distribution in woodland key habitats of district Gulbene

Darba mērķis ir raksturot epifītisko sūnu sastopamību un izplatību ietekmējošos faktorus. Pētījums veikts dabiskajos mežu biotopos Gulbenes novadā. Epifītisko sūnu izplatība analizēta četros biotopu veidos: jauktos platlapju mežos, boreālajos mežos, melnalkšņu staignājos un purvainajos mežos, kā arī divos kontrollaukumos blakus cirsmām. Aprakstīti sūnu augšanas vietas ekoloģiskie apstākļi: koka suga uz kuras konstatēta, mizas pH, stumbra diametrs, sūnu audzes aizņemtā platība, debespuse, noteikts noēnojuma līmenis parauglaukumā. Sūnu sugu augšanas apstākļu atbilstība priekštatam par tām tipiskajiem apstākļiem, noteikta izmantojot Dulla indikatorvērtības sūnaugiem (novērtēti apgaismojuma, temperatūras, mitruma, substrāta reakcijas un kontinentalitātes parametri). -The aim of this paper is to investigate factors influencing epiphytic bryophytes distribution. Research was made in woodland key habitats of Gulbene district. Distribution of epiphytic bryophytes was analyzed in four habitat types: mixed broadleaved forests, boreal forests and black alder swamp forests, swamp forests and in two sample plots next to glades. Tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH), bark pH, height of continuous bryophyte cover on all exposures (N, W, S, and E) of tree stems and shading level in forest stand were recorded. Bryophyte growth condition corresponding to theoretic view about typical conditions was determine using indicator values of Dull for mosses (light, temperature, moisture, substrate pH and continentality was evaluated)

Bryophytes as the indicators of the natural forest habitats in conservansy area Krapas gārša

Nozīmīga meža ekosistēmas sastāvdaļa ir sūnas. Saimnieciskās darbības ietekmē daudzas sūnu sugas izzūd, jo tiek izmainīti to eksistencei nepieciešamie apstākļi. Tādas ir arī sūnaugu indikatorsugas, kas tiek izmantotas kā dabisku (maztraucētu un ekoloģiski nozīmīgu) mežu biotopu indikatororganismi. To sastopamība liecina par cilvēka darbības maz ietekmētām mežaudzēm, kurās saglabājušās retām sūnu sugām nepieciešamās dzīvotnes. Pētījumā analizētas dabas liegumā „Krapas gārša” konstatētās indikatorsugas garlapu kažocene Anomodon longifolius, tievā gludlape Homalia trichomonoides, doblapu leženeja Lejeunea cavifolia, īssetas nekeras Neckera pennata sastopamība un raksturoti to augšanas apstākļi: meža tips, lakstaugu, krūmu un koku stāvs atradnē, substrāta pH, apgaismojuma un gaisa mitruma līmenis atradnē.Moss is an important part of the forest ecosystem. Economic activity causes the extinction of many species of moss, as it influences the conditions required for their existence. That includes the indicator species of the bryophytes, which are used as indicator organisms of the biotopes of the natural (undisturbed and ecologically important) forests. Their occurrence indicates the undisturbed forest stand, where habitats, necessary for the rare species of moss, have persisted. The research analyses the incidence of the indicator species Anomodon longifolius, Homalia trichomonoides, Lejeunea cavifolia, Neckera pennata in the nature reserve “Krapas gārša” and characterizes their growing conditions: type of the forest, story of the vascular plants, schrubbery and trees in the prospect, pH of the substratum, the level of light and air humidity in the prospect

Factors influencing epiphytic bryophytes distribution in woodland key habitats of district Gulbene

Darba mērķis ir raksturot epifītisko sūnu sastopamību un izplatību ietekmējošos faktorus. Pētījums veikts dabiskajos mežu biotopos Gulbenes novadā. Epifītisko sūnu izplatība analizēta četros biotopu veidos: jauktos platlapju mežos, boreālajos mežos, melnalkšņu staignājos un purvainajos mežos, kā arī divos kontrollaukumos blakus cirsmām. Aprakstīti sūnu augšanas vietas ekoloģiskie apstākļi: koka suga uz kuras konstatēta, mizas pH, stumbra diametrs, sūnu audzes aizņemtā platība, debespuse, noteikts noēnojuma līmenis parauglaukumā. Sūnu sugu augšanas apstākļu atbilstība priekštatam par tām tipiskajiem apstākļiem, noteikta izmantojot Dulla indikatorvērtības sūnaugiem (novērtēti apgaismojuma, temperatūras, mitruma, substrāta reakcijas un kontinentalitātes parametri). -The aim of this paper is to investigate factors influencing epiphytic bryophytes distribution. Research was made in woodland key habitats of Gulbene district. Distribution of epiphytic bryophytes was analyzed in four habitat types: mixed broadleaved forests, boreal forests and black alder swamp forests, swamp forests and in two sample plots next to glades. Tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH), bark pH, height of continuous bryophyte cover on all exposures (N, W, S, and E) of tree stems and shading level in forest stand were recorded. Bryophyte growth condition corresponding to theoretic view about typical conditions was determine using indicator values of Dull for mosses (light, temperature, moisture, substrate pH and continentality was evaluated)